Hi, I'm in my early 20's, just graduated from college, which is the only place I've ever known ballroom dance. So now I'm wondering which direction I should go in. I want to continue dancing but haven't got much money to spare at all How exactly do I get involved in ProAms? I assume it means regular coaching and lessons, which is probably something i can't afford. Finding a partner isn't going to be easy either, since I'm a girl. :-P Are there any other options other than being a social dancer about once a month? Does anyone have any advice for me? I really really miss dancing and don't want to miss out on it while I'm still young enough to enjoy it and compete. thanks!
Quote: Hi, I'm in my early 20's, just graduated from college, which is the only place I've ever known ballroom dance. So now I'm wondering which direction I should go in.
You are certainly welcome to try pro-am, however it may not be your only option. There are starting to be places where the collegiate ballroom scene has retained enough alumni and spilled over into the local community that you can find nearly as much going on as if you were still a student, though it will be a bit harder to initially get involved as an outsider. Try to figure out which studios in your area the collegiate and ex-collegiate people utilize, and then study there yourself - perhaps do some pro-am there if you want. Don't worry too much about apparent gender ratios in the dance community, because what you should be interested in is not the total number of males and females dancing in a city, but the subset of those who are interested in dancing in whatever way you want to - for some degrees of interest, it's entirely possible that the ratio in the applicable subgroup will be nearly the reverse of the 'all dancers' ratio.
But first you have to find a suitable community and get to know people. And that may be harder outside of a few particularly intense locations such as Boston, NY, the Bay area, DC, etc.
I started at a franchise studio about 3 years ago. Then I left them for financial reasons.
I found my current teacher about two years ago. When I started, I set a limit on what I would be able to comfortably afford. At that time, it was one lesson every two weeks. The studio that he belonged to, had social parties every week and so for the time being, my need was fulfilled.
When you say pro-am, I'm guessing (and let me know if I am wrong) you are thinking about competition down the road. If that is the case, I would say once again, take your time and do what you feel comfortable with. My teacher understood this and although he did push from time to time for more lessons, I learned to put my foot down and do what I could afford. Now, I can only work with him once a week but we do it for two hours. (There's a two hour distance between us now since I had to move for a new job).
If you do things little by little, you should able to do dance (pro-am or amateur) for as long as you want. I kind of smile to myself now when I think of some of the students who went, "all out" (costumes, lessons, etc.) and now have no $$$.
I think my way will keep me going for quite some time
DancingDiva
p.s. if you every do think about competitions, pm me about ways to cut costs but still look like you spent what they wanted.
Pro/am costs money. If you don't have it, I don't recommend it, unless you're willing to charge it and worry about paying it off later at some point. How about group classes? We have some decent groups in Boston.
Yes, pro/am does cost money so if you do decide that's the way you want to go I suggest that you avoid the franchise studios as they tend to be set on selling patterns rather than lessons. Look for a good independent instructor that preferably owns their own studio as opposed to those that have to rent floor time as that cost is passed on to the student. More often than not the independent will be more willing to work with you financially (unless they have more students than they can handle) instead of saying, just charge it you can pay it later or you can take out a loan, mortgage your house, sell your car and give us your first born!!!! By the way, I'm a pro/am dancer out of an independent studio.
Depending on the area you are in if it's available you can also start frequenting venues that hold public big band dances, you'll get a chance to dance, albeit socially and you'll also get to meet people. Or you can attend functions sponsored by the local USABDA chapter. Who knows, you may even meet someone interested in forming a partnership and you'll probably have fun - Bonus!!!!
Quote: Look for a good independent instructor that preferably owns their own studio as opposed to those that have to rent floor time as that cost is passed on to the student.
If an instructor owns the studio, the operation cost is passed on to the student as well. The owner/instructor is also responsible for everything right down to making sure toilet paper is on the spool in the bathroom. I happen to know that the cost of floor time is only a fraction of the lesson price at an independant studio. I don't know what your experience is, but the independant studio is the way to go, leaving the teacher to teach the student to learn and the responsibility of running a studio to someone else. The instructors are also not pressured by the studio as they are able to run their own business they way they want to and they can plan on a standard operating cost. The independant studio is also not maintianing the HR and Payroll functions that are part of owning a studio and maintaining a staff. As for comps, they do not get a cut of the package price offered by the instructor, so the instructor is free to charge for the package whatever he/she thinks is fair. Why should someone sitting behind a desk reap the benefits of a comp when the instructor, especially a pro/am instructor, does all the work. I cannot believe that there are good studios with 1 instructor that owns the studio and teaches and makes all the money needed to support all the costs of the studio and doesn't pass that on to the student.
I cannot believe that there are good studios with 1 instructor that owns the studio and teaches and makes all the money needed to support all the costs of the studio and doesn't pass that on to the student.
The studio I go to is a one owner studio w/the owner and his spouse teaching. He has more students than he can handle, makes enough to keep the studio going (toilet paper included) and still passes savings on to students in the form of discounts for purchasing blocks of hours. So, ye of little faith, it is entirely possible.
So the studio and toilet paper are free? No rent, taxes, electricity, water, paper, computer or accounting documents? Does he download the music off of Napster? What about BMI? NDCA membership dues? Cleaning? Even if he does it all himself, he cannot work by candlelight or he would at least have to by candles.
C'mon, there are still costs that have to be covered and since he and his wife are teachers, the only income must be lessons and social dances.
Call around and...(find) out what the rates are. Many studios are reluctant to give out such info for people over the phone (I have no clue why), and others will give that gladly.
It's a sales technique, Jools. I used to work as an aerobics instructor at a health spa, and we were told never to give out prices on the phone, but to invite the person in for a free visit. Getting the person in the door is half the sale. It's harder to say "no" in person.
I have to agree that Chris says some very profound albeit non-objective statements, but I don't think Chris is aiming. I think the opinions are more like a dirty bomb that is hurled out in a general direction and who knows what it will hit. Sort of like Hitler attacking on all fronts. (Opps, did I just invoke Godwin's law?)
How exactly do I get involved in ProAms? I assume it means regular coaching and lessons, which is probably something i can't afford. Finding a partner isn't going to be easy either, since I'm a girl. :-P Are there any other options other than being a social dancer about once a month? 
and you'll also get to meet people. Or you can attend functions sponsored by the local USABDA chapter. Who knows, you may even meet someone interested in forming a partnership and you'll probably have fun - Bonus!!!!
